Ronaldo calm after paying penalty

Thursday 4 January 2007 00:12 BST

Cristiano Ronaldo has refused to condemn Rob Styles over the Old Trafford diving storm - but the Manchester United winger is certain the referee got it wrong.

After scoring both United's goals in their 2-0 win over Fulham on Monday, Ronaldo was denied an opportunity to complete his first Red Devils hat-trick when Styles ruled he dived over Cottagers keeper Antti Niemi as the pair went for Louis Saha's through ball.

"I respect the referee's decision but I do not have the same opinion because I thought it was a penalty," said Ronaldo.

Styles booked Ronaldo for gamesmanship, a decision TV replays later suggested was incorrect, and Sir Alex Ferguson claimed Styles had been 'conned' by Niemi, who correctly asserted he had not touched Ronaldo, covering up the fact he had not touched the ball.

Ronaldo, runner-up to Kaka in the prestigious Ballon D'Or, was not quite as forceful as his manager, instead insisting it was simply a bad call.

"I try to do my job and I try to play honestly," he said.

"If you see the replay, the goalkeeper never touched the ball, so it is frustrating the referee gave me a yellow card."

Ferguson felt Ronaldo had been the victim of a diving tag which was attached to the winger during his early days at United but which has gradually been lost amid his sublime form over the past 18 months.

"His reputation from years ago is still playing on the minds of referees," said the United manager. "It is quite unfair because he is nothing like that now. He is more mature and a magnificent footballer.

"Why would he want to go down? He was on a hat-trick, he had gone round the keeper and he was brought down. It was a ridiculous decision," he added.